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Jackets take down Arkansas Baptist

By Tim Clark

This past Thursday night the Clinton Yellow Jackets kicked of their 2013 season at the University of Central Arkansas in the Hooton’s Classic against the Arkansas Baptist Eagles.

Head coach Chris Dufrene cranked up the pain train and rolled from start to finish. The train rolled so hard it made the Eagles back crack and their liver quiver. The man in charge on the field, quarterback Fielder Dufrene, completed 12 passes for over 200 yards and four touchdowns.

Running back Stephen Sappington rushed for 121 yards and three touchdowns. Sappington showed great speed and a stiff-arm that he uses like a jackhammer. Also with lightning speed is Mason Speer who had 89 yards rushing and a 61-yard dash off of a pass from Dufrene, which created one of Speer’s three touchdowns. Senior Drew Farmer carried the ball on five occasions for 35 yards and one touchdown.

If you were at the game then you got a blast from the past, the Beaver bomb, Dufrene tossing the pigskin 36 yards to Daniel Beavers in the end zone to put another 6 on the board. Wyatt Fletcher produced for the Jackets with one interception and a touchdown. Hunter Blanton also had a great night with several pass deflections and one interception.

The Clinton defense was in rare form, holding Arkansas Baptist to under 100 yards rushing for the game. There were several Jackets that ended the game with at least five tackles each: Harrison Lester, Robby Slack, Rex Fletcher, Wyatt etcher, Nathan Teague and Blanton. With three tackles each were Caden Hickman, Speer, David Hunt and Garrett Bagley. Nose guard Alex Clark also had three tackles during the game and one sack coming on the last play of the first half.

When the dust cleared and the Eagles said “No Mas,” it was Clinton 58 and Arkansas Baptist 33.

A great way to start off the season. The Yellow Jackets will be back in action when they travel to Highland on Friday, Sept. 13. Game time will be 7 p.m. See you there.